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Lincoln MKT VIN Check

NHTSA holds 280 owner complaints on the Lincoln MKT from 137 production runs; the worst run has 7, the typical one 2.

NHTSA complaint records · 280 complaints · 137 runs · 2010–2019 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported MKT run is 2LMHJ5AT0AB (2010 builds) with 7 complaints, 3.5× the typical run. Steering problems make up 33% of reports; 2010 is the worst model year at 2.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for MKT model years 2011–2019.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lincoln MKT has 137 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every MKT complaint on file.

FIG.01·Lincoln MKT — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
2LMHJ5AT0AB••••••20107—1
2LMHJ5AT7EB••••••20146——
2LMHJ5AT4DB••••••20135——
2LMHJ5AT8DB••••••20135——
2LMHJ5AT6AB••••••20105——
2LMHJ5AT2AB••••••20105——
2LMHJ5NK6DB••••••20135——
2LMHJ5AT0DB••••••20135——
2LMHJ5AT7DB••••••20135——
2LMHJ5AT3AB••••••20105——
2LMHJ5AT5AB••••••20105——
2LMHJ5AT3DB••••••201351—
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 125 MKT runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 13 MKT VINs so far, most often 2019, 2014, 2010 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lincoln MKT the gap between build years is 2.9×: a 2010 car draws 2.9 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.

FIG.02·Lincoln MKT — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20191.31713—
20181.475—
2017133—
20161.397—
20151.523151
2014250252
20132.569281
201222613—
20112189—
20102.958201
ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2010 at 2.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 33% of everything Lincoln MKT owners report: Steering, 98 of 280 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Lincoln MKT — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Steering983—
Structure4911
Unknown Or Other441—
Electrical System24—1
Back Over Prevention24——
Fuel/propulsion System21—1
Engine20——
Suspension172—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Lincoln MKT; the 6 below cover build years 2011 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Lincoln MKT — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
20V072000Suspension:rear2013–2018
25V827000Structure:body2016–2019
15V172000Electrical System2013–2015
16V621000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2013–2015
15V340000Steering:electric Power Assist System2011–2013
25V695000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2015–2019
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

20V072000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2013: 7 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 280 reports on the Lincoln MKT, 1.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Lincoln MKT — complaint severity
OutcomeLincoln MKTAll vehicles
Complaints filed2801,116,631
Involved a crash5 (1.8%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire3 (1.1%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported458,047
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 69% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Lincoln MKT share of that is 280 complaints over 137 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.

Everything on the Lincoln MKT
Recalls34 campaignsFuel economy23 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems296 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices173 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2010–2019

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Lincoln MKT VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 280 NHTSA complaints from 137 MKT runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which MKT production run has the most complaints?

2LMHJ5AT0AB, a 2010 build, with 7 complaints. The typical MKT run has 2.

Which MKT years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2010 is heaviest at 2.9 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.

How many MKT complaints involve a crash?

1.8% of 280 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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